Addiction is a complicated entwined pattern of physical and mental discomfort. Going to rehab after addiction is the most important decision that one can make. The coping strategies, therapies, counseling sessions, physical activities strive to bring the victim back to life. Addiction treatment is about dismantling the faulty state of your life, clearing the state, and starting anew.
But once you have recovered, the real test of starting your life begins because recovering from addiction does not mean you have reached the end goal. The actual goal is to adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life. Addiction recovery is your second chance to live your life and achieve the milestones that you have put on hold for some time.
Rebuilding your life after substance abuse is like the people, place, and things that you got you into this menace in the first place. You might be leaving your peer groups, choosing new hobbies, and gathering to have fun. So, you might only be surrounding yourself with people who lift your spirits, help you in your growth process, and clear all the impediments and mental impasses. Forge your friendship with people who have been through similar experiences and are committed to staying sober. Most often, it is your company that defines you and impacts how you behave in your personal life.
If someone you know has recovered, here are a few things that can help start afresh in your life. You might be unsure of what to expect when you go to rehab, but today you will have an easy guide to follow to keep your life on the right track after recovery.
- Don’t force yourself too much
Be easy on yourself! You just recovered from one of the deadly menaces one can have in their life, so going slow and steady must be your approach. You might have recovered, but thinking that you are ready to charge back in your life is thinking a little too much of yourself. Taking life with force will make you fall flat on your face. You might seem reinvigorated and fresh, but you are still weak from the inside. Try living your life to the fullest, but do not burden yourself more than you can handle.
Most importantly, do not test your resolve by going near alcohol or other drugs. Accept that for some time, the pace of your life will be quite different now. Though you will reach your desired pace one day, take it slow for now.
- Repair your relationships
There is a chance that under the influence of drugs, you must have done things to people around you. It could be your friends or your family member. So, it is time to mend your broken relationships. Identify the people that matter in your life the most. These people must be able to help you in your journey to living a sober life. Sit with them and discuss what you went through and your state of mind. They will surely understand your struggles and current predicament.
The most impact a person with drug addiction has is on their family and kids. They might be happy that you have recovered from the influence, but you will see that old wounds will open with time. To make it up to them again, be kind and caring, help your kids, and be loving to your wife. Understand that while you had a tough time, they were going through hell too. With time, you will see that your loved ones have become your unbreakable strength once again.
- Establish a healthy routine
You have passed the storm, but the after-effects are still there. So, to avoid these effects and recoiling back into your bad habits, develop a healthy routine that keeps you distracted and makes your time more productive. Good nutrition, plenty of water, and exercising will keep you physically fit.
Moreover, try spending time with your kids, trying a new recipe, or making a picnic or outing plan can make you feel good about yourself. Stay connected with your peers from the rehab, discuss their routine, and share ideas with each other. You can also register yourself in an online course and focus on learning new things. An interesting approach can be a getaway to keep yourself occupied. Develop a structure of your life that incorporates all the elements of your personal and professional life.
- Adopt healthy eating
Healthy eating keeps you energetic with a supply of nutrients in the right amount. Take your breakfast with a lot of proteins to increase dopamine production naturally. Foods that enhance the natural dopamine include salmon and mackerel, nuts, fruits, and veggies. Also, add some vitamins to your diet as they are a powerful energy source. Take green tea, juices, and smoothies frequently in your routine to keep you hydrated and nourished at the same time.
Avoid processed foods and eat much naturally grown food as possible— most possibly organic food. You can add curries to your meals, an amazing combination of vitamins and spices. For instance, turmeric is found to reduce inflammation. Plan your meals in advance and make a weekly chart to help you stay on your track.
- Do what is expected of you
Knowing what your family and friends expect of you is one thing, and actually following through is another. You have already left the habit of drinking and taking drugs, but now you have to understand your obligations, relate to people, and take on your life responsibilities. You might have talked to your loved ones about mending your relationships. But what will abridge your gaps is when you follow their advice and do what they expect of you.
- Leave your old friends behind
It is time to make new relationships and cut ties with people who negatively influence your life. Once out from rehab, never surround yourself with people who drank and had drugs with you in the past. As much as they claim to help you in your journey, the fact that they are in your life will only stall your progress. Even if they are your close friends, their mere presence in your life is a trigger. You may go through an emotional relapse and think about the time spent together, how you had alcohol together and had fun. Emotional relapse is what can lead to mental and physical relapse. Therefore, stay away from such people who can put you in such a precarious situation.
Conclusion
Recovering from addiction is just the start; real struggle begins after it when you have to stick to sobriety and get back to your life. For that, it is essential to remove toxic and unproductive people from your life and replace them with those who help you in your journey to normalcy. Mending your relationships with your loved ones also give you positive energy and a chance to excel in your personal life again.